Unpopular Opinions with Sandra Coan | A Photography & Business Podcast

One of the big changes to hit the photography industry recently is AI. Recently, I shared a post in one of my FB groups about how I’ve been using it in my business, and got a comment about how it’s going to be the end of the photography industry and we should all beware. So, on today’s episode, I’m going to share my thoughts on AI: how it hurts us, how it helps us, and how to use it wisely in your...

The secret to your success is NOT your technical skill.  It is NOT your marketing know-how either.  It’s your confidence. Confidence is the key to making your dreams come true. It is the bridge between wanting and having.   And on today’s episode, I’m going to share what I’ve learned over the course of my 25 year career about how to get it. SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/04/02/the-se...

Welcome to Unpopular Opinions! I'm Sandra Coan, an award-winning photographer, and in this episode, I talk with my friend, Rebecca Hunnicutt. Rebecca Hunnicutt is a photography educator who teaches photographers at all levels how to turn ordinary locations into extraordinary images with confidence and ease, AND how to further elevate those images with post processing. She's also a lifestyl...

There is so much I love about the photography industry.  I love art.  I love what this career has given me.  I love the life I’ve been able to build because of what I do.  And I’ve met some truly creative, wonderful people because of this job. But like all industries, the photography space has a dark side as well.  It can be very competitive.  And competition can sometimes bring out the worst in p...

What does it mean to create “authentic” photos as a newborn and family photographer? I can not tell you how many photography groups and forums I have been in where people have talked about authenticity, and specifically how the reason that they don’t work in a studio, or use artificial light is because they want to take “real” photos or authentic images. So, what does authenticity even mean?  And...

Hi friends! On this episode of the podcast, we are talking about imposter syndrome. As a self-taught photographer, I struggled for years with imposter syndrome. Now it it my mission to eliminate imposter syndrome in my communite by building confidence using the Do, Be, Have approach. SHOWNOTES https://sandracoanstudios.com/2024/03/05/how-i-overcame-imposter-syndrome/ LINKS Sandra Coan Certificatio...

Welcome to Unpopular Opinions! I'm Sandra Coan, an award-winning photographer, and in this episode, I talk with my friend, photographer and mindfulness educator, Kenna Klosterman. The conversation touches on the challenges of managing expectations and self-judgment and the value of mindfulness practices. LINKS Sandra Coan Certification Program:  ⁠⁠⁠https://sandracoanstudios.com/certification⁠⁠...

Whenever I ask photographers what their number one struggle is, the answer is always the same!  Marketing. And I get it!  No one is born knowing how to market themselves.  It’s definitely a learned skill and it can feel intimidating.  In fact, a lot of people feel so overwhelmed when it comes to marketing that they just choose not to do it, relying on their photos alone to find them clients. And t...

I’ve seen a lot of talk lately on social media and in Facebook groups about the state of the photography industry and whether or not it’s dying. People are worried about the economy, people are noticing things changing and they are freaked out.  So, on today’s episode, I’m chiming in and sharing my thoughts about the health of the photography industry based on my 25 years of experience.  SHOWNOTES...

Okay all of you business moms out there, this episode is for you. I started my business in 1999, six years before I had my twins. But I remember being worried about how I was going to manage my business and continue to grow once they were born. I know I'm not alone.  So on today’s episode, I’m going to share what I’ve learned now that my twins are 18 about balancing motherhood and my career! ...

Welcome to Unpopular Opinions! I'm Sandra Coan, an award-winning photographer, and in this episode, I chat with the talented Rachel Larsen Weaver. We discuss the power of storytelling in photography and the key to long-term success. Rachel shares her unique approach of combining writing with photography through a weekly newsletter, fostering a deep connection with clients. And keep listening t...

Hey, fellow photographers! Struggling to land clients? We've got your back on the podcast today. It's all about nailing that communication game. Think your portfolio is a bit all over the place? We're diving into that. From having a consistent look to upgrading your tech skills, we're spilling the beans on how to make your work stand out. But hold up, it's not just about the pi...

Hi friends! A couple of weeks ago I hosted a webinar called From Doubt to Dollars: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Grow your Photography Business in the Process. Between the two days that I gave the webinar, we had a little over a hundred photographers register and we ended up having some great conversations. On today's episode, I'm sharing the audio from that webinar. And an importa...

Listen friends,  there is a major problem with the way the photography education system is set up and I believe it's hurting you, the photographer.  It’s keeping you stuck.  It’s contributing to feelings of insecurity and imposter syndrome and it’s wasting your hard earned money and your precious time. So on today’s episode I’m going to talk about it.  I’m sharing what the problem is, why it’s...

Hello friends!  Welcome to a brand new year, a brand new podcast and a brand new direction for me, my business and my community! I made a lot of changes last year that my team and I are now officially sharing with the world. I have basically burned my business to the ground, and like a phoenix, I’m rising up fresh and new from the ashes! So on today’s episode I’m going to tell you what led me to t...

Join us on this Halloween-themed episode as we explore the scariest scenario for photographers: low light. Learn how to create your own natural-looking light with strobes and flash and control your light regardless of the season. Plus, we talk about my program, the Missing Link, empowering photographers to master artificial light. It's time to light up your skills and transform your photograph...

I started my photography business in 1999, sort of by accident. Photography had always been something I loved, but I never thought it could be a job—let alone a career. It was just something I played around with on the weekend. Now, 20+ years into my career, I can confidently say I know what it takes to build a long-term career in the photography industry. In this episode, I share the story of how...

Join us on the Beyond Natural Life Photography Podcast as we delve into the challenges within the photography education industry. This week I will discuss the pitfalls of the siloed approach to photography education from the perspective of a teacher and a seasoned photographer with 25 years of experience. Discover why mastering just one aspect of photography may not be enough, and learn how I want...

This week on the podcast, we're talking imposter syndrome! I'm sharing a conversation that I had on a Six-Figure Studio coaching call this week all about imposter syndrome and how to deal with it and move beyond it. This is the #1 problem I see for photographers, and I really do feel like I've figured out the solution. If you struggle with imposter syndrome, self-doubt, or lack of conf...

Trigger Warning: Pregnancy Loss Hello friends, this week on the Beyond Natural Light Photography Podcast, I want to have a difficult conversation about pregnancy loss. In my 25 years in business as a maternity, newborn, and family photographer, I have learned you are going to have clients who have experienced or will experience pregnancy loss or infant loss at some point. If you are comfortable, p...

Join me on this episode of 'Beyond Natural Light' where I share my personal journey as a creative with ADHD and dyslexia, facing challenges like imposter syndrome and overwhelm. I discuss the power of the Do, BE, Have model, tailored for creative and ADHD brains, and how coaching and mentoring play a crucial role in empowering creatives to take meaningful steps toward success. Stay tuned f...

Join me in the Beyond Natural Light Podcast as I share my journey from being a full-time teacher to becoming a successful full-time photographer. This week we'll explore the challenges and personal factors that came with this transition, and discover how to calculate financial goals and attract clients to support your photography business. Learn the significance of mastering light, posing, pro...

Hello and welcome to the podcast!  I’m your host, Sandra Coan, and I’m so thrilled you are here today because I want to talk to you about something that is SUPER important, that EVERY photographer needs to know how to do: posing! Discover the importance of posing in photography as I share my insights and practical tips for working with people of all ages! We'll talk about how mastering posing...

This week's podcast episode explores the challenges of learning new skills. We delve into the frustrations of being a beginner and emphasize the importance of accepting imperfections and embracing the gradual learning process. Join us as we uncover how to be comfortable with not being good at the start. SHOWNOTES https://sandra-coan-education.squarespace.com/podcast/what-if-youre-not-good-at-t...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a part of a photography mastermind? This episode pulls back the curtain and includes interviews with members of my level two mentoring program, Amplified. You'll hear about why they joined, the importance of community, what they learned from fellow members and their biggest takeaways from being in a photography mastermind. What sets Amplified...